Recording system which can record signals from two fields for the composition of one picture

ABSTRACT

A recording system comprises an image pick-up recording device to record the picture information obtained through the image pick-up on a recording medium by a recording head; and a control device to change the relative location of the head and the medium after the information of one picture has been recorded in a predetermined location on the medium and to prevent the next picture information from being read out during the period of time until the completion of that displacement. The recording system may be provided with a memory for the picture information and a control device for allowing part of the picture information to be recorded in the selected portion on the medium. The control device also permits the other portion of the picture information stored in the memory to be recorded in the other portion on the medium after changing the relative location of the head and the medium.

This application is a continuation of prior application, Ser. No.07/673,404 filed Mar. 14, 1991, now abandoned, which application is acontinuation of prior application, Ser. No. 07/587,639 filed Sep. 20,1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,875 issued Sep. 10, 1991, whichapplication is a continuation of prior application, Ser. No, 07/273,679filed Nov. 21, 1988, which application is a continuation of priorapplication, Ser. No. 06/511,180 filed Jul. 6, 1983, both now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved recording system in which signalsobtained from an information source can be stably recorded in differentportions on a recording medium, and more particularly to a recordingsystem in which a plurality of picture information obtained from imagepick-up devices such as a CCD or the like can be stably recorded duringa short period of time.

2. Background of the Invention

For example, when one field of video signals is recorded in one track ona recording medium such as a magnetic sheet, it is conventionally knownthat a gate is provided in a signal path connecting a video signalsource with a recording head, and the gate is opened intermittentlyduring, for example, only one field interval per several fields torecord the video signals in each track, and that while the gate isclosed, the recording head is shifted to face the next track.

However, it is extremely difficult to shift the recording head withinthe limited period of vertical blanking time, causing a drawback in thatthe video signals recorded would have been forced to be intermittent.

Therefore, when one tries to compose a picture using the signal of onefield twice, the picture must have been blurred or unfocussed if thesubject is a moving object, and a satisfactory picture quality will notbe obtained if the signal of one field is used once.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention intends to provide a recording system which caneliminate such drawbacks in the prior art. Particularly, it is an objectof the invention to provide a recording system which can record thesignals of two fields for the composition of one picture to realize apicture of high quality for the recording system in which only one-fieldsignal is recorded in one track.

For this purpose, the present invention has such features that: theinformation recorded in a recording medium is read out through imagepick-up means such as an image pick-up device on an image pick-up tube,etc. or from any information sources after the completion of head shift;memory means is provided to temporarily memorize the information to bereproduced by means of such image pick-up means or from informationsources until the completion of head shift; and detecting means is alsoprovided to detect the completion of head shift.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, the signal to bereproduced through the image pick-up device or information sources isread out upon the completion of head shift. For this purpose, a timerdevice is used in place of the detecting means. This timer device isoperated upon starting of the head shift and outputs the signal afterthe time period necessary for the head to be shifted has elapsed.Therefore, the constitution of the recording system can be made simple.

In addition, according to the embodiment of the invention, theinformation on the photoreceptive surface of the image pick-up means isdivided into the signal of the fields bearing even numbers and thesignal of the fields bearing odd numbers, thereby recording in theindividual tracks. Therefore, the picture will not be blurred or out offocus even when the picture of one frame is composed using the signalsin two tracks.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, thememory means is commonly utilized by the storage array of an imagepick-up device of the frame transfer type or the like; accordingly, manyfeatures are realized by this simple and small recording system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a first embodiment of a recordingsystem according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the constitution of thecontrol circuit 16 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows driving timing charts of the control circuit of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of the read-out clocks ofa CCD;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of a head shift completionsignal forming device according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing a principal portion in a secondembodiment of the recording system of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows driving timing charts of the system shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 schematically shows the construction of a known frame transfertype CCD;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a portion of the CCD of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 shows the condition of the interior potential of the CCD of FIG.8; and

FIGS. 11a and 11b show the sequence when the FIG. 8 CCD is used tophotograph a stationary image and the sequence when the FIG. 8 CCD isused to photograph a moving image;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described in detail hereinbelow withrespect to preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a recording system including an imagepick-up system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, areference numeral 100 indicates a CCD of the frame transfer type asillustrated in U.S Pat. No. 4,504,855, and a numeral 1 shows an imagesensing array (namely, a photoreceptive section) through which the lightincidence is controlled by means of a shutter SH. A numeral 3 denotes astorage array as a light-shielded memory means, and the electric pictureinformation formed in the image sensing array 1 is temporarily memorizedin this storage array 3. The output terminals of horizontal transferregisters 2 and 4 of one line are connected respectively to amplifiers 5and 6. These horizontal shift registers 2 and 4 are also shieldedagainst light.

The charges in the image sensing array 1 and storage array 3 arerespectively shifted in the directions indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1by means of shift pulse φ₁ and φ₃. The charges in the horizontal shiftregisters 2 and are respectively shifted in the directions indicated bythe arrows in FIG. 1 by means of shift pulses φ₂ and φ₄.

In this embodiment, the number of picture elements in the image sensingarray 1 is twice as large as that in the storage array 3.

The detailed construction of the CCD with such a constitution and itsdriving method are as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Laid OpenGazette No. 146587/1981 or in U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,855, as noted above.In particular, Japanese Laid Open Gazette No. 146587/1981 describes aknown frame transfer type CCD depicted in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows the construction of a frame transfer type CCD described inthe above-referenced Japanese Laid Open Gazette No. 146587/1981.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 201 designates the image sensing portion ofthe frame transfer type CCD. In this image sensing portion, for example,in the case of the NTSC system, the number of cells in the verticaldirection is set to a number substantially equal to the number ofscanning lines, i.e., on the order of 490. That is, this CCD has anumber of cells about twice that in the conventional frame transfer typeCCD. As the number of cells in the horizontal direction of the imagesensing portion 201, a number corresponding to the color sub-carrierfrequency, i.e., a number on the order of 390 or 570, is usuallyadopted.

In FIG. 8, there is shown an example in which nine elements in thevertical direction and four elements in the horizontal direction arearranged. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 202 designates an electrode forapplying to this image sensing portion a voltage for effecting lightreception and transfer.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 203 denotes a storing portion, in which thenumber of cells in the vertical direction is about 1/2 of that of theimage sensing portion and a number of cells equal to that of the imagesensing portion 201 are arranged in the horizontal direction.Accordingly, this storing portion comprises a number of cells equal tothat of the storing portion of the conventional frame transfer type CCD.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 204 designates an electrode for applying avoltage for transferring charge as in the image sensing portion.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 205 denotes a horizontal transfer registerwhich comprises a row of charge transfer portions comprising a number ofcells substantially equal to the number of cells in the horizontaldirection of the image sensing portion or the storing portion.

Designated by 206 in FIG. 8 is an electrode for applying a voltage fortransferring the charge of the horizontal transfer register 205.

Denoted by 207 in FIG. 8 is an amplifier for converting the chargetransferred from the horizontal transfer register 205 into a voltageoutput.

This frame transfer type CCD does not greatly differ in constructionfrom the conventional frame transfer type area sensor except that thenumber of cells in the vertical direction of the image sensing portionis twice that in the conventional frame transfer type area sensor. Agreat difference between the two is that a second horizontal transferregister 208 substantially identical to the horizontal transfer register205 is provided between the image sensing portion 201 and the storingportion 203. Reference numeral 209 designates an electrode for applyinga voltage for transferring the charge in the second horizontal transferregister, and reference numeral 210 denotes an amplifier for convertingthe transferred charge into a voltage.

There are several charge transfer methods such as single phase drive,two-phase drive, three-phase drive, four-phase drive, etc., and any ofthese is applicable, but taking the single phase drive method as anexample for simplicity of description, the constructions of the secondhorizontal transfer register 208 and the storing portion 203 willhereinafter be described by reference to FIG. 9.

The single phase drive method herein referenced is described in the U.S.Pat. No. 4,229,752 and the detailed operation thereof need not bedescribed herein.

Referring to FIG. 9, reference numeral 120 designates a channel stopperfor preventing leakage of charge between the cells in the horizontaldirection.

In FIG. 9, reference numeral 121 denotes the poly-silicon electrode ofthe image sensing portion, and the area to which this electrode isattached comprises an area A and an area B which differ from each otherin the potential condition in the silicon. Reference numeral 122designates an area in which a virtual electrode is formed in thesilicon. The area 122 comprises an area C and an area D which differfrom each other in the potential condition in the silicon.

In the vertical direction, one cell consists of these areas A, B, C andD.

In FIG. 9, 123 designates a second horizontal transfer register area. Inthis area, a poly-silicon electrode is formed in the shape of comb-teethindicated by hatching, and the portion below this poly-silicon electrodeis divided into areas A', B' and C' which differ in the potentialcondition. The areas A'and A" are identical in potential, but areseparated from each other by a channel stopper. The areas C' and D' areset to the same potential as the virtual electrode portion 122 of theimage sensing portion. 124 and 125 are constructed similarly to 121 and122, respectively, of the image sensing portion.

FIG. 10 shows the interior potential condition of the CCD of theconstruction shown in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 130 designates the poly-silicon electrodesof the image sensing portion corresponding to 121 of FIG. 9, and all ofthe poly-silicon electrodes of the image sensing portion are commonlyconnected so that a voltage for charge transfer is applied thereto. Theportion below the poly-silicon electrodes 130 is divided into areas Aand B as described in connection with FIG. 9, the area A being higher inpotential condition than the area B. The dotted lines in FIG. 10 showthe condition in which the poly-silicon electrodes 130 are at highnegative potential, and the solid lines show the potential at which thepotential of the poly-silicon electrodes 130 are slightly negative orpositive.

The potential of the virtual electrode portion 122 of FIG. 9 is slightlyhigher in the area C than in the area D, as shown in FIG. 10. Thepotential of this portion does not depend on the voltage applied to theelectrodes 130, but is always maintained constant. Accordingly, if apredetermined voltage is applied to the poly-silicon electrodes 130,charge will be stored and, if a pulse-like voltage is applied to thepoly-silicon electrodes 130, charge will be transferred. Furtherdescription is not needed.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 131 designates the poly-silicon electrodeof the second horizontal transfer register. This electrode is separatedfrom the other electrodes so that an independent voltage is appliedthereto. The interior potential of this horizontal transfer register isas shown below the poly-silicon electrode 131 of FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, reference numeral 132 designates the poly-silicon electrodesof the storing portion. The interior potential of this storing portionis similar to that of the image sensing portion. Reference numeral 133denotes the electrode of the first horizontal transfer register (205 inFIG. 8). The first horizontal transfer register is similar inconstruction to the second horizontal transfer register, but the formerdiffers slightly from the latter in that one side thereof is closed by achannel transfer. Reference numeral 134 shows the potential condition ofthe channel stopper.

The function of the charge in the second horizontal transfer registerwill hereinafter be described. The charge stored in the area B of theimage sensing portion has its potentials in areas A and B increased asindicated by dotted lines in FIG. 10 by a pulse voltage of negativepotential being applied to the poly-silicon electrodes 130 and istransferred into the potential well area D of 122 of FIG. 9. When, atthis time, a slightly negative or positive potential is applied to thepoly-silicon electrode 131 of the second horizontal transfer register,the potentials of the area A' and B' assume the potential conditionsindicated by solid lines in FIG. 10 and the charge in the area D entersthe area B' through the area A'. Subsequently, when a negative highpotential is applied to the electrode 131, the potentials of the areasA' and B' assume the conditions indicated by dotted lines and the chargein the area B' is transferred through the area C' (which has apredetermined potential indicated by a dotted line) to the area D'(which has a predetermined potential indicated by a dotted line). When,at this time, a slightly negative or positive voltage is applied to thepoly-silicon electrodes 132 of the storing portion, the potentials ofthe area D' to the areas A'" and B" fall as indicated by solid lines andthe charge in the area D' is transferred through the area A'" to areaB".

The charge thus transferred to the area B" of the image sensing portionis transferred through the area C" to the area D" because the potentialsof the areas A'" and B" become as indicated by dotted lines by apulse-like voltage of negative potential being applied to thepolysilicon electrodes 132 of the storing portion. Consequently, by apulse voltage as the drive signal being applied to the electrodes 132,the stored charge is transferred to B"→D"→B" in succession andtransferred to the first horizontal transfer register 205, and then canbe read out through the first horizontal transfer register 205. Theabove-described flow of the charge shows that it is entirely equal inoperation to that in the conventional frame transfer type CCD which doesnot have the second horizontal transfer register.

A description will now be given of the flow of the charge in a casewhere the signal is read out through the second horizontal transferregister.

The charge transferred to the area D' has been transferred to thestoring portion by a slightly negative or positive potential beingapplied to the poly-silicon electrodes 132 of the storing portion in theabove-described operation, but a negative high voltage is applied tothese electrodes to hold the potentials of the areas A'" and B" asindicated by dotted lines and a pulse-like voltage is applied to thesecond horizontal transfer register 131 to cause the potentials of theareas A" and B' to alternately shift to the conditions indicated bysolid lines and dotted lines, whereby the charge in the area D' istransferred to A"→B'→C'→D' in the horizontal direction and a signalread-out operation is executed through the amplifier (210 in FIG. 8).

Reference is now made to FIG. 11 to describe the operation when theknown CCD device is operated in an actual camera.

FIG. 11(a) shows the operating condition when the device is operated ina video still camera, and FIG. 11(b) shows the operating condition whenthe device is operated in a video camera for photographing movingimages.

A description will first be given of a case where the device is operatedin a video still camera.

The condition S-1 of FIG. 11(a) shows the all clear condition in whichthe charge, stored by a dark current or the like is cleared through ananti-blooming drain immediately before the exposure operation or inwhich the CCD is operated at a high speed to cause the charge to bedischarged outwardly and cleared.

The shutter is then opened and the condition shifts to the exposurecondition, i.e., the storing condition (S-2) of the image-sensingportion. The condition then shifts to the first field read-out condition(S-3) of the horizontal transfer register 208.

In the condition (S-2), the shutter is closed in a predeterminedexposure time and an image signal (charge) is stored on each cell shownin FIG. 8, whereafter in the condition (S-3), the charges stored in thecells of the image sensing portion are transferred in the verticaldirection by two lines each. That is, in the case of the FIG. 8embodiment, the charges stored in (1,1)-(1,4) are transferred to thecells [4,1]-[4,4] of the storing portion through the second horizontaltransfer register 208, and the charges stored in (2,1)-(2,4) aretransferred to the second horizontal transfer register 208. Likewise,the charges stored in the cells in the other lines are also transferredby two lines. Thereby, the charges stored in the sections (3,1)-(3,4),(4,1)-(4,4), (5,1)-(5,4), (6,1)-(6,4], (7,1)-(7,4), (8,1)-(8,4) and(9,1)-(9,4) are respectively transferred to the sections (1,1)-(1,4),(2,1)-(2,4), (3,1)-(3,4), (4,1)-(4,4), (5,1-(5,4), (6,1)-(6,4) and(7,1)-(7,4).

After the charges have been transferred by two lines in this manner, thecharges transferred to the second horizontal transfer register 208 aredelivered outwardly through the amplifier 210. Thereby, the storedcharges transferred to the horizontal transfer register 208 in thedescribed manner, namely, the charges stored in (2,1)-(2,4) duringexposure, are put out serially.

Thereafter, the stored charges in the cells of the image sensing portionare again transferred by two lines. Thereby, the charges transferred tothe sections (1,1)-(1,4), namely, the charges stored in (3,1)-(3,4)during exposure, shift to the cells [4,1]-[4,4] of the storing portionthrough the horizontal transfer register, and the charges transferred tothe sections (2,1)-(2,4), namely, the charges stored in (4,1)-(4,4)during exposure, are transferred to the horizontal transfer register208. Also, at this time, the charges transferred to the cells in eachline of the storing portion 203 are transferred by one line.Consequently, the charges previously transferred to the cells[4,1]-[4,4], namely, the charges stored in (4,1)-(4,4) during exposure,are transferred to the cells [3,1]-[3,4]. Thereafter, reading-out of thecharges transferred to the horizontal transfer register is againeffected, and the charges transferred to the horizontal transferregister 208 and stored in (4,1)-(4,4) during exposure as describedabove are delivered serially. Thereafter, in a similar manner, theoperation of transferring by two lines the charges stored in the cellsof the image sensing portion 201 and transferring by one line thecharges transferred to the cells of the storing portion 203 and theoperation of reading out the charges transferred to the horizontaltransfer register 208 are executed alternately, whereby the chargesstored in (2,1)-(2,4), (4,1)-(4,4), (6,1)-(6,4) and (8,1)-(8,4) duringexposure are successively delivered from the second horizontal transferregister 208. That is, the first field read-out operation is executed.Also, the charges stored in (1,1)-(1,4), (3,1)-(3,4), (5,1)-(5,4) and(7,1)-(7,4) during exposure are respectively transferred to the cells[1,1]-[1,4], [2,1]-[2,4], [3,1]-[3,4] and [4,1]-[4,4] of the storingportion. After the first field read-out operation has thus beenexecuted, the condition shifts to the second field read-out condition,namely, the condition S-4. In the condition S-4, the charges transferredto the cells in each line of the storing portion are transferred by oneline, whereafter the charges transferred to the first horizontaltransfer register 205 are read out, whereby the charges stored in(1,4)-(4,4), (3,1)-(3,4), (5,1)-(5,4), (7,1)-(7,4) and (9,1)-(9,4)during exposure are delivered from the horizontal transfer register,thus terminating the second field read-out.

Thus, according to the known frame transfer type CCD, it is possible forthe image signals corresponding to one frame recorded at the same pointof time to read out the first field, and the interlaced second field asin the usual TV operation.

A description will now be given of the operation when the known deviceis operated in an ordinary video camera for taking out video signals ofmoving pictures.

The condition M-1 of FIG. 11(b) corresponds to the operation S-1 of FIG.11(a). However, this operation is not indispensable.

In this case, the shutter is not necessary and storage and read-out arerepeated simultaneously. M-2, M-2',. . . show the storing conditions,and the prime (') indicates the second field. That is, the charge storedat M-2 (the first field) is read out at M-3, and the charge stored atM-2' (the second field) is read out M-3'.

The condition M-4 shows the condition in which the charges stored in theimage sensing portion are transferred to the storing portion.

The frame transfer type CCD of this type has 490 cells in the verticaldirection of the image sensing portion and 245 cells in the storingportion and therefore differs from the conventional frame transfer typeCCD in the operation of transferring charges from the image sensingportion to the storing portion and the interlace method. This operationwill hereinafter be described by reference to FIG. 8.

First, after exposure and storage have been effected in the conditionM-2, transfer of the charges stored in the image sensing portion to thestoring portion is effected in the condition M-4. In this transferoperation, the charges stored in (1,1), (1,2), (1,3) and (1,4) are firsttransferred to [4,1], [4,2], [4,3] and [4,4] of the storing portion 203through the second horizontal transfer register 208. Subsequently, thecharges in (2,1), (2,2), (2,3) and (2,4) are likewise transferred to[4,1], [4,2], [4,3] and [4,4]. At this time, no pulse voltage is appliedto the storing portion, and the charges stored in (1,1)-(1,4) duringexposure are held in [4,1]-[4,4]. Thereby, the charges stored in tworows, i.e., (1,1)-(1,4) and (2,1)-(2-4) of the image sensing portion,are added to [4,1]-[4,4].

Subsequently, one line of the storing portion is transferred, that is,the charges added in [4,1]-[4,4] are transferred to [3,1], and in themanner described above, two lines of the image sensing portion, namely,the charges stored in (3,1)-(3,4) and (4,1)-(4,4) during exposure, areagain transferred to [4,1]-[4,4] and added therein. Thereafter, theoperation of transferring one line of the storing portion and theoperation of transferring two lines of the image sensing portion to[4,1]-[4,4] and adding them therein are repeated in the same manner,whereby the added charges in (1,1)-(1,4) and (2,1)-(2,4) are transferredto [1,1]-[1,4] of the storing portion, the added charges in (3,1)-(3,4)and (4,1)-(4,4) are transferred to [2,1]-[2,4], the added charges in(5,1)-(5,4) and (6,1)-(6,4) are transferred to [3,1]-[3,4], and theadded charges in (7,1)-(7,4) and (8,1)-(8,4) are transferred to[4,1]-[4,4].

Thereafter, the condition shifts to the conditions M-2' and M-3 andexposure and storage operations are executed while, at the same time,the signals transferred to the storing portion 203 as described aboveare transferred to the horizontal transfer register 205 line by line andthe signals transferred to the horizontal transfer register aredelivered from the horizontal transfer register. Thereby, the firstfield read-out operation is executed.

After the first field read-out operation has been terminated in thismanner, the operation of transferring the charges stored in the imagesensing portion 201 to the storing portion 203 by M-2' is executed atM-4. This is the second field read-out operation and therefore, transferand addition of two rows of the image sensing portion are executed withthe cells shifted by one line when the charges are transferred from theimage sensing portion 201 to the cells [4,1]-[4,4].

That is, for the second field, the charges stored in the cells(2,1)-(2,4) and the cells (3,1)-(3,4), the charges stored in the cells(4,1)-(4,4) and the cells (5,1)-(5,4), and the charges stored in thecells (6,1)-(6,4) and (7,1)-(7,4) are respectively transferred to[4,1]-[4,4] and added therein, whereby the charges added to each line ofthe storing portion 203 are transferred to [4,1]-[4,4] and addedtherein, whereby the charges added to each line of the storing portion203 are transferred and stored. Thereafter, by M-3', the charges storedin the storing portion 203 are delivered by the horizontal transferregister 205, whereby the second field read-out operation is terminated.When two rows of the image sensing portion cells are added in thismanner, the first transfer and addition operation and the secondtransfer and addition operation are shifted by one line, whereby asignal interlaced with the first field can be obtained and imagephotographing can be executed as a video camera.

As can be understood from the above description, this knownframe-transfer type CCD comprises a second horizontal transfer registerlocated between the image sensing portion and the storing portion.Therefore, it can be used in a video still camera such that the firstfield signal is first read out and then the second field signalinterlaced with the first field signal is read out, the image signalsfor each frame are obtained in the same signal form as in theconventional signal processing, and the stationary images are readilyobtained with higher resolving power than in previous video signalprocessing circuits. Furthermore, this known frame-transfer type CCD hasan advantage that it can be used exclusively in a video still camera asabove-mentioned and also in an ordinary video camera.

Returning to FIG. 1, a numeral 106 indicates a video signal inputterminal; 7 represents a signal processor; 8 a recording amplifier; 9 arecording head; and 10 shows a moving member as shift means of which thehead is fixed, and a part thereof is formed with a rack portion adaptedto come into engagement with a pinion 11.

The pinion 11 is revolved by a predetermined value at the desired timeby a stepping motor 12 to cause the recording head 9 to be shifted at apredetermined pitch, thereby selecting different tracks on a magneticdisc 14 as a recording medium. The motor 12 is controlled by a motordrive circuit 13. The magnetic disc 14 is rotated by a motor 15, whichis controlled by a motor drive circuit 17. The shutter SH, CCD, motordrive circuits 113 and 17 are controlled by a control circuit 16according to the present invention. A numeral 18 indicates a referenceclock oscillator and 49 denotes a trigger circuit including a triggerbutton to start recording.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the internalconstitution of the control circuit 16 shown in FIG. 1. This controlcircuit 16 includes: R-S flip-flops 23, 31 and 36; one-shot circuits 24,26, 29 and 35 which respond to the trailing edges; a one-shot circuit 37which responds to the leading edge; the one-shot circuit 26 generates apulse with the length of one vertical interval of a television signal;AND gates 22, 27, 32 and 33; and an OR gate 30.

In FIG. 2, the control circuit 16 also includes: a shutter timer 25 tooutput a signal at a higher level for only the period of timecorresponding to the opening time of the shutter SH; a set resister 38to set the opening time of the shutter; an EVEN timer 28 and an ODDtimer 34 which output signals at a higher level in one verticalinterval, respectively. As described later, the signals on the linesbearing odd numbers among the information of one picture formed at theimage sensing array 1 of the CCD are read out while the EVEN timer 28 isat a higher level. The signals on the lines bearing even numbers areread out while the ODD timer 34 is at a higher level.

Each flip-flop is reset when the power is turned on. A number 39indicates a CCD drive signal generator as driving means for generatingsuch signals with timing as shown in FIG. 4 in response to the outputsof the timers 28 and 34.

FIG. 3 shows timing charts of the control circuit shown in FIG. 2. Theoperation of the circuits shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be describedwith reference to the timing chart of FIG. 3.

First, pressing the trigger button allows the trigger circuit 49 to forma trigger signal, causing the flip-flop 23 to be set.

Thereafter, the first vertical sync signal V_(D) is applied through theAND gate 22 to the reset input, causing the Q output of the flip-flop 23to fall. Thus, the one-shot circuit 24 operates and outputs ahigher-level signal for only the time period T₀ when the shutter timer25 has been set into the resistor 38. At the same time, the flip-flop 36is set and the flip-flop 23 is maintained to be reset until thecompletion of head shift as will be explained later.

When a predetermined shutter time has elapsed, the shutter timer 25falls and the higher-level signal for one vertical interval is generatedfrom the one-shot circuit 26. Then, AND of this one-shot output andvertical sync signal V_(D) is set, thereby sequentially reading out theinformation on the lines bearing even numbers as will be described lateramong the charge information formed at the image sensing arraysynchronously with the first vertical sync signal after closing theshutter. This information is generated as the even-number field signal.

Next, upon completion of reading out of the fields bearing even numbers,the one-shot circuit 29 operates, and the head shift signal is suppliedto the stepping motor drive circuit 13 shown in FIG. 1 to revolve themotor 12 by only a predetermined value. Hence, the recording head 9 isshifted by one track pitch through the pinion 11 and rack portion formedon the moving member 10, so that the head faces the next track.

When the motor 12 rotates a predetermined number of times, the shiftcompletion signal is generated from the motor drive circuit 13 and inputto the AND gates 32 and 33. At this time, since the flip-flop 31 hasalready been set by the output of the one-shot circuit 29, only the ANDgate 33 is opened synchronously with the next vertical sync signal.

In this embodiment, the shift completion signal is preset to be at alower level while the power is supplied to the stepping motor 12 by themotor drive circuit 13, and at a higher level while the power supply isstopped.

In this invention, as a result of operation of the ODD timer by thehigher-level signal from the AND gate 33, the information on the linebearing odd numbers among the charge information at the image sensingarray 1 is sequentially read out, as will be described later, and thengenerated as the odd-number field signal and recorded on a disk by meansof the recording head.

As described above, according to the present invention, there isprovided such a feature that the reading out of the next picture isstarted upon synchronization of the head shift completion signal withthe vertical sync signal.

When the fields bearing the odd numbers are read out during only onevertical interval and the information is recorded through the head, theone-shot circuit 35 operates and causes the flip-flop 31 to be reset,and the head shift signal is again output.

When the head shift has been completed and the head shift completionsignal at a higher level is again output from the motor drive circuit13, the flip-flop 36 is reset by AND of the completion signal and the Qoutput of the flip-flop 31.

Hence, the recording of the picture signal of one picture is completedand the flip-flop 23 can be reset by V_(D).

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided another feature such that the next trigger signal does notsubstantially function until completion of recording of the signal oftwo fields.

Next, the reading operation of the CCD by the higher-level outputs ofthe EVEN and ODD timers 28 and 34 will be described.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show waveforms of the pulses φ₄ -φ₄ to be output fromthe CCD drive signal generator 39 in response to the outputs of thetimers 28 and 34, respectively,

The CCD shown in FIG. 1 is of the single phase drive type andconstituted in such a manner that the charge is shifted by one bit atthe leading edge from the lower level to higher level by supplying onelower-level pulse to a transfer electrode (not shown).

In the embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal shiftregister 2, which can read out and generate the picture information atthe image sensing array, is provided between the image sensing array andstorage array of the frame transfer type CCD, and the amplifier 5 isalso provided. Therefore, the present invention also permits apredetermined line information to be extracted through the horizontalshift register 2 midway in the transfer of the picture informationformed in the image sensing array 1 to the storage array.

For example, in the present embodiment, the light is projected onto theimage sensing array for only a predetermined period of time by means ofthe shutter SH to produce the picture information of one frame;thereafter, the EVEN timer operates synchronously with the vertical syncsignal and it is possible to read out first all of the even-numberedline information among the picture information in this imaging sensingarray.

As shown in FIG. 4A, two lower-level pulses are supplied first as φ₁ andφ₂ to shift the charge in the image sensing array to the lower side bytwo lines in FIG. 1 and to transfer the horizontal register 2 verticallyby two lines. A higher-level pulse is supplied to φ₃ to transfer theline information on the first line from the bottom line of the imagesensing array 1 shown in FIG. 1 into the storage array. Thereafter, theresidual charge of one line in the horizontal shift register 2, namelythe charge produced on the second line from the bottom of the imagesensing array upon reception of the light is shifted horizontally. Whilethe charge is being shifted horizontally, the lower-level signal isapplied to the electrode in the storage array to form the potentialbarrier in the storage array, thereby preventing the charges in thehorizontal shift register from flowing into the storage array. The pitchof pulse φ₃ corresponds to, for example, one horizontal interval T_(H)as the reading interval of one line.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the lower-level pulses φ₃ and φ₄ are supplied, forexample, at every horizontal scanning interval T_(H) in response to thehigher-level output of the ODD timer 34, so that the information in thestorage array is stored periodically in the horizontal shift register 4one line by one. Thereafter, the pulse indicative of the number ofpicture elements in one line is supplied by the pulse φ₄, so that theinformation of each line is read out and generated as the odd-numberfield signal. In this embodiment, the information of the even-numberedlines is initially read out and that of the odd numbered lines is readout later; however, it may be possible to reverse the order.

FIGS. 5A and 5B respectively illustrate other examples of the device toform the head shift completion signal of the present invention.According to the delay device shown in FIG. 5A, it outputs the headshift completion signal I in response to the head shift order signal φ₄after the time corresponding to the time when the head shift iscompleted. This delay device may be a CR timer or a digital counter.

Referring to FIG. 5B, there is provided a rotary disc 57 to be rotatedby the stepping motor 12 shown in FIG. 1, and magnetic members aredisposed on the rotary disc in accordance with each pitch of the headshift, and a head 58 and a detection circuit 59 to detect the magneticmembers are also provided, thereby producing the head shift completionsignal I. In other words, when the head 58 faces the magnetic member,the detection circuit 59 outputs a lower-level signal, and unlessotherwise, it outputs a higher-level signal.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the storage array of theframe transfer type CCD is used as a temporary memory device; however,the vertical shift register section of the interline transfer type CCDmay be used as such a memory device. Or else, it may be possible tomemorize the charge information in an ordinary semiconductor memory.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the principal portion of the secondembodiment according to the present invention, wherein the same partsand elements as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the samereference numerals.

In FIG. 6, an interline transfer type CCD 101 includes: photoreceptivedevices 102; vertical shift registers 103; a horizontal shift register104; and an output amplifier 105, wherein all of these parts except thephotoreceptive devices are shielded against light.

As is well known, the light incident upon each photoreceptive device 102forms photons. These photons are transferred to the vertical shiftregister by supplying the shift pulse, so that they will not be affectedby the light incidence.

Then, the charges of one bit in the vertical shift registers 103 areshifted downward in FIG. 6 every one horizontal period, therebytransferring the charge per line into the horizontal shift register 104.This charge of one line is read out during one horizontal scanninginterval by the driving pulse φ_(x) to be supplied from a controlcircuit 109 which will be described later. A reference numeral 106indicates an output terminal of the CCD 101; 107 and 107' show switchesas change-over means; and 108 denotes a field memory as a storagedevice, which comprises, for example, a semiconductor memory to memorizethe picture information of one field. A numeral 109 indicates a controlcircuit and the similar signals as those in the control circuit shown inFIG. 1 are input to and generated from the terminals O₁ -O₄ and I. Thedriving pulse φ_(x) as mentioned above is generated from the terminalO₂.

FIG. 7 shows timing charts to describe the operation of the circuitshown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 will now be described hereinbelow with respectto FIG. 7.

The shutter SH is opened for only a predetermined time periodsynchronously with the first vertical sync signal V_(D) after a triggersignal has been generated from the trigger circuit 49. A higher-levelsignal is generated from the terminal O₅ to cause the switches 107 and107' to be connected respectively to connection points a for only onevertical interval synchronously with the first sync signal V_(D) afterthe shutter has been opened, so that the signals of the fields bearingeven numbers which were read out from the CCD 101 are stored in thememory 108. During this interval, a write signal is generated from theterminal O₆ to store the above-mentioned signals.

Upon completion of the storage of the signal of one field, the outputfrom the terminal O₅ is reduced to a lower level, causing the switches107 and 107' to be connected respectively to connection points b. While,the CCD 101 is successively driven to read out the signals of the fieldsbearing odd numbers.

A higher-level signal is generated from the terminal O₈ for only thisone field interval, so that a gate 110 allows the video signal to besupplied to the signal processor 7.

Thus, the output transmitted from the signal processor 7 is recorded onthe disc 14 through the amplifier 8 and head 9 shown in FIG. 1.

Then, upon completion of recording of the signals of the fields bearingodd numbers, a shift signal is output from the terminal O₄ to permit thehead 9 to be shifted in the same manner as the construction shown inFIG. 1.

When the shift completion pulse at a higher level is obtained uponcompletion of the shift, a higher-level signal is then generated fromthe terminal O₇ during one field interval to read out the signals of theeven-number fields from the memory 108.

With such a construction, the recording system of the present inventioncan be operated without using the image pickup-up device of such aparticular structure as shown in FIG. 1 even when an ordinary imagepick-up device such as the interline transfer type CCD, X-Y address typeMOS image sensor, image pick-up tube, etc. is used.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the output of the imagepick-up device is recorded in a recording medium; however, an outputfrom any other general signal sources may be also recorded.

As a recording medium, any other types of medium may be used, such as atape-like or a card-like recording medium in place of the disk. In thiscase, other recording methods may be used instead of the method ofmagnetic recording. Furthermore, the relative location of the recordinghead and recording medium may be changed by moving the recording mediumas well as shifting the recording head.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a recordingsystem for recording the information while operating the headsequentially in different portions on the recording medium, the signalscan be always and stably recorded without deleting the first portion ofrecording signals even if a variation occurs in the time necessary forthe head to be shifted. In addition, even if it takes a long time toshift the head, the continuous signals can be recorded.

Therefore, in a recording system which records a video signal of onefield on each track using one head, many effects are obtained such thatit is possible to record the signals of successive two fields and obtaina picture with high quality when the recorded signals are played back,or the like.

What we claim is:
 1. A video signal recording apparatus comprising:videosignal supplying means for supplying a video signal for one picture froma signal generated by one exposure, including dividing the one exposuregenerated signal into a plurality of portions and sequentiallyoutputting the plurality of portions of the divided signal, said videosignal supplying means comprising a photoelectric conversion element forproviding the one picture and a memory device for storing at least oneof the plurality of portions of the divided signal; recording means forrecording, in respectively different portions of a recording medium, theplurality of portions of the video signal sequentially output from saidvideo signal supplying means, after performing a predetermined operationwhich is performed before the recording operation; indication signalproducing means for producing an indication signal which indicatescompletion of the predetermined operation of said recording means; andcontrol means for receiving the indication signal and for synchronizingan output operation of said video signal supplying means and a recordingoperation of said recording means such that one of the plurality ofportions of the supplied video signal is output from said video signalsupplying means and recorded by said recording means in response to theindication signal.
 2. A video signal recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the video signal for one picture is a video signal forone frame, and each of the plurality of portions of the video signalincludes a signal for one field.
 3. A video signal recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said recording means comprises:a recordinghead for recording signals; changing means for changing a position ofsaid recording head relative to the recording medium as a predeterminedoperation of said recording means; and drive means for driving saidchanging means to change the position of said recording head relative tothe recording medium after a first field video signal, of a plurality offield video signals sequentially output from said video signal supplyingmeans, is recorded by said recording head.
 4. A video signal recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said video signal supplyingmeans comprises at least two photoelectric conversion portions, and avideo signal for one field is supplied from each of said at least twophotoelectric conversion portions.
 5. A video signal recording apparatuscomprising:photoelectric conversion means for receiving an image pickuplight beam from an object and for photoelectrically converting the imagepickup light beam to provide an image signal for one frame; memory meansfor receiving an image signal of one field provided by saidphotoelectric conversion means and for storing the received imagesignal; switch means for selectively outputting the image signalprovided by said photoelectric conversion means and the image signalstored in said memory means; recording means for receiving image signalsoutput from said switch means, and for recording the image signals atrespectively different positions on a recording medium, after performinga predetermined operation which is performed before the recordingoperation; indication signal producing means for producing an indicationsignal which indicates completion of the predetermined operation of saidrecording means; and control means for receiving the indication signaland for controlling a recording operation, said control means comprisingmeans for controlling said recording means and said switching means sothat after said recording means completes recording of an image signalof one field in response to the indication signal, said switching meansoutputs another image signal for recording of another field by saidrecording means.
 6. A video signal recording apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein said recording means comprises:a recording head forrecording signals on the recording medium; changing means for changing aposition of said recording head relative to the recording medium as apredetermined operation of said recording means; and drive means fordriving said changing means to change the position of said recordinghead relative to the recording medium after said recording means recordsa first field image signal, of a plurality of field image signalssequentially output from said switch means.
 7. A video signal recordingapparatus according to claim 5, wherein said photoelectric conversionmeans comprises a CCD.
 8. A video signal recording apparatus accordingto claim 5, further comprising:gate means disposed between said switchmeans and said recording means, said gate means closing when saidrecording means performs a recording operation.
 9. A video signalrecording apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising detectionmeans for detecting a driving speed of the recording medium to determinean operating state of said recording means.
 10. A video signal recordingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording medium comprises amagnetic disc.
 11. A video recording apparatus comprising:generatingmeans for generating a frame signal comprising a plurality of fieldvideo signals; first storing means for selectively storing a field videosignal from said generating means; second storing means for storing saidplurality of field video signals output from one of said generatingmeans and said first storing means, said second storing means storingeach of said field video signals in respectively different locations,after performing a predetermined operation which is performed before thestoring operation of at least said second storing means; producing meansfor producing an indication signal which indicates completion of thepredetermined operation of said second storing means; and control meansfor receiving the indication signal and for controlling an outputoperation of one of said generating mean and a field memory in responseto the indication signal.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11,wherein said generating means comprises an image pickup device.
 13. Anapparatus according to claim 12, wherein said image pickup devicecomprises said field memory.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 12,wherein said image pickup device comprises a CCD.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein said second storing means comprisesmagnetic recording means.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 11,wherein said field memory delays at least one of the field signals.